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Mildura rural placement program

Mildura is located in the north western corner of Victoria on the banks of the Murray River. The location offers Pre-Service Teachers (PSTs) an experience of rural teaching, while being supported with the conveniences of living and teaching in a regional city.

Mildura schools offer PSTs the opportunity to experience highly inclusive education with many programs tailored to support local Indigenous and refugee students.

Program Overview

Where: Mildura, Victoria
When: February every year
Who: Pre-Service Teachers in a Primary and/or Secondary course
Cost: Accommodation costs of an estimated $1200 for 15 days and $1600 for 20 days (subject to change due to available housing)
Grants: Government grants are available for $140 per day for PSTs doing a rural placement in Mildura

Students are asked to make their own way to Mildura with travel options including driving, carpool, flying and V-Line public transport. Pre-Service teachers will be able to meet each other at an information session at the University prior to the commencement of the program and this will present opportunities to discuss travel arrangements.

Once in Mildura, students will be provided suitable, group housing close to their school. This shared living fosters support and collaboration between PSTs. When asked if they would recommend the program, one PST stated:

“Yes, because it's a great challenge! Not only the teaching part, but living away from home too, and dealing with all the little things, like food shopping, cooking dinner etc. And it's great to see a different/new part of Victoria, as well as living with other PSTs, and bouncing ideas off them/debriefing with them. Living with my peers really enhanced my experience.”

Students will be placed in either a local primary or secondary school to meet the requirements of their placement unit. They will receive ongoing support from other PSTs at their school and/or house, their Mentor, an experienced Organiser of Teaching Practice at their school, and a dedicated Monash Professional Practice Consultant.

This program ran for the first time in 2019 and received very positive feedback from PSTs involved. When asked if they would recommend the program to other Monash PSTs some responses included:

“Yes absolutely. The experience you get on rural placement is amazing. It allows you to see a completely different side to teaching and appreciate the many different hats a teacher wears.”

“Yes, it is an amazing experience full of an abundance of opportunities that can completely change your perspective on teaching.”

Costs

Accommodation costs of an estimated $1200 for 15 days and $1600 for 20 days. (subject to change due to available housing)

Grants and financial support

See the grants and financial support available to you.

Opportunities to explore

A supportive, community teaching environment
Inclusive teaching practice to support a diverse student population
A taste of rural teaching to inform future career planning
Experience the area including the Murray River. See Visit Mildura for more information.

How to apply

The Faculty of Education sends email invitations to students to apply for the Mildura rural placement at the start of Semester 2.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact the relevant Professional Experience team.